A Good Man Awakens

Chapter 21: Secret Place, Farming and Horses

The morning was unusually quiet, a rare moment of stillness on the farm. It was the kind of morning that made you want to pause, to breathe in the cool air and let the warmth of the early sun chase away the troubles of yesterday.

I had resigned myself to another day of hard labor when Sophia appeared at the barn door, a mischievous glint in her eyes and a small bundle in her hands. "You've been moping around too long, Ragan," she said, her voice light but firm. "Come on, I've got something to show you. You've earned a morning off."

"A morning off?" I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the offer. It wasn't like there was ever much time to relax on the farm, and the somber mood everyone had been in since Jacob's passing. "And what exactly do you have planned?"

Sophia smiled and tossed the bundle to me. It was a neatly wrapped cloth, heavy and warm in my hands. "I made you something. Thought it might cheer you up." Her cheeks flushed a little, as though the gesture embarrassed her.

Unwrapping the cloth, I found a finely woven scarf inside, its colors matching the vibrant greens and earthy browns of the forest that bordered the farm. The craftsmanship was remarkable, better than I'd ever expected. "Sophia, this is..."

"It's nothing," she interrupted, brushing her hands on her dress. "I've been working on it for a while. I just thought you could use it. I noticed you looked a bit cold."

The warmth of the scarf was nothing compared to the warmth of the gesture. I smiled at her, feeling lighter than I had in days. "Thank you, Sophia. I'll wear it with pride. Where are we headed?"

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "You'll see when we get there, come on."

I followed her out of the barn and into the woods, the tension of the past few spans slowly easing with each step. Sophia led the way, her movements quick and confident as she navigated the forest paths. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground, and I let myself relax.

As we walked, Sophia talked about the farm, about her worries for its future. " I know Da won't say it, but I can tell he's stressed. He hides it well, but I've heard him and Mum talking late at night. They're worried about making ends meet, especially with the collections coming up." Her voice faltered slightly as she glanced at me.

I frowned, the guilt creeping back in. It was a growing concern at the farm, producing enough for collections I didn't help provoking the enforcers. "I'm sorry. I won't..."

She stopped walking and turned to face me, her hand resting lightly on my arm. "It's not your fault, Ragan. It's them, the enforcers, the Veilguard, the entire ministry." Her head dropped. "I miss Jacob... but we have you"

Her faith in me was both a comfort and a burden. In her eyes, I was becoming a replacement for Jacob, someone she thought could protect the farm, protect her from the enforcers. It pulled at my heart, forming a lump in my throat.

I hadn't planned to come to this farm. Circumstances had led me here and now I felt like I had a responsibility over the people here, people I called friends. I gave Sophia a wide, friendly grin, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be fine.

We continued through the forest in silence for a while, the sound of birds singing overhead filling the space between us. Eventually, Sophia led me to a small, secluded glen hidden deep within the woods. It was beautiful, almost otherworldly, with soft grass underfoot and a small stream that trickled quietly through the trees. The sun bathed the clearing in a golden light, making the leaves shimmer with an almost magical quality.

"This is it," she said, her voice soft. "My secret place. I've been coming here since I was a child. It's where I come, when I need to think. You're the first person I have ever shared this place with."